Abstract: An industrial textile processing machine having a washing chamber supported by a support structure secured to a pedestal support. The support structure is provided with a piezoelectric dynamic sensor used to sense stress on the support structure caused by vibrations of the washing chamber that result from an unbalanced load. The sensor is electrically connected to a signal conditioner which is, in turn, connected to a microprocessor that controls the machine. The sensor produces an output signal that is conditioned by a signal conditioner and then used by a microprocessor to extrapolate a control decision for the machine. The sensor is used to sense the presence of an unbalanced when the machine is operating at low speeds. If an unbalanced condition is sensed, the washer will redistribute the load so that it is sufficiently balanced before entering into high speed operation.

Abstract: A dryer system comprising a particle counter that measures the level of particulates in the dryer is disclosed. The dryer system is particularly adapted for drying garments to be worn in clean room environments. The dryer system preferably comprises an enclosure having a rotatable drum for receiving and tumbling garments or other clothing, a fan and motor assembly for providing airflow through the drum, an exhaust duct near the drum and in communication with the drum, a sampling tube in the exhaust duct, and a particle counter for measuring the concentration of particles withdrawn through the sampling tube from the drum. A sampling line may optionally be incorporated in the dryer inlet for withdrawing one or more samples of inlet air and transferring to the particle counter. A check may then be made to ensure that the incoming air is sufficiently clean.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brush mounting assembly for a brush utilized in an industrial sweeper. The mounting assembly enables the height of the brush to be easily adjusted while allowing independent action of each end of the brush. Furthermore, the assembly provides quick disconnect at each end of the brush so that the brush may be changed without the use of tools.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a shelf support assembly having a pair of lateral support brackets removably mounted in a refrigerator, a support member interconnecting the lateral support brackets, and a central support bracket attached to the support member. A cross brace interconnects the central support bracket with one of the lateral support brackets. The central support bracket, cross brace, and lateral support brackets cooperate to define a support frame which slidingly supports a slidable shelf and pivotally supports a pivotable shelf. The sliding shelf includes stops to limit movement thereof. The pivotable shelf can be pivotally moved between a horizontal deployed position and first and second angled storage positions. The pivotable shelf includes detents which engage the support frame and releasably retain the pivotable shelf in one of the angled storage positions.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a water filtration and dispensing system including a first control valve for unfiltered water, a household water supply line for fluidly connecting the first control valve to a source of household water, a water filter assembly disposed within a refrigeration compartment, an unfiltered water supply line fluidly connecting the first control valve to the water filter assembly, a second control valve having first and second outlets, a filtered water supply line fluidly connecting the filter assembly to the second control valve, a filtered water dispenser fluidly connected to the first outlet of second control valve, and an ice maker disposed within a freezer compartment and fluidly connected to the second outlet of the second control valve.

Abstract: A central-vacuum power unit is provided having a molded rubber gasket which seals and vibrationally isolates a vacuum motor. The power unit includes a canister forming a hollow interior and a plate dividing the hollow interior into first and second chambers. The vacuum motor is located within the first chamber and has an inlet in fluid communication with the second chamber through an opening in the plate. The molded rubber gasket encircles the plate opening and seals the vacuum motor to the plate. The gasket also forms a seat for the vacuum motor and supports the vacuum motor against the plate. The gasket includes a ring-shaped main wall, a protrusion extending from the main wall and engaging an end surface of the vacuum motor, and an outer wall extending from the main wall and engaging the outer periphery of the vacuum motor. Distinct primary and secondary seals are formed by the protrusion and outer wall. The outer wall is shaped so that a seal can be obtained over a relatively short longitudinal length.

Abstract: A transmission for a washing machine includes a housing, an agitator shaft rotatably mounted to the housing, and an input shaft rotatably mounted to the housing. A one-way clutch connects the input shaft and the housing which permits relative rotation between the input shaft and the housing in a first direction and prevents relative rotation between the input shaft and the housing in a second direction. An agitation system connects the input shaft and the agitator shaft whereby rotation of the input shaft relative to the housing provides back-and-forth agitation of the agitator shaft. A one-way clutch ball bearing rotatably and axially supports the housing. The one-way clutch ball bearing is a sprag type-clutch which prevents rotation of the housing in the first direction and permits rotation of the housing in the second direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dishwasher door and panel assembly including one or more decorator panels that are retained between two vertical flanges along the front of a dishwasher. The assembly includes a brace member and a trim piece that extend along the bottom periphery of the dishwasher door. The decorator panels are removed by releasing the trim piece from the brace member and sliding one or more of the panels out of engagement from the front of the dishwasher door.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration system having a condenser, a regulating device, and a capillary tube. The regulating device has a housing defining an inner chamber for receiving refrigerant from the condenser. A float is disposed within the chamber and includes a resilient surface. An outlet line connected to the capillary tube extends through a bottom wall of the housing and into the chamber. The float is movable in response to changes in level of refrigerant in the chamber. The float moves downward to close the outlet line when refrigerant in the chamber drops below a minimum level, and moves upward to open the outlet line when refrigerant in the chamber rises above the minimum level. A filter assembly for removing contaminants from the refrigerant is disposed within the chamber above the float.

Abstract: An improved handle assembly for a refrigerator door including a mounting button secured to a face of the refrigerator door, a mounting block secured to a first or lower end of a door handle, and a mounting bracket integrally formed with a second or top end of the door handle. The mounting block and mounting button cooperate to provide a dovetail-type connection wherein the first end of the refrigerator door handle is slidably secured to a face of the refrigerator door without any exposed mechanical connection. The mounting bracket includes openings through which screws may be inserted to secure the second end of the door handle to a top surface of the refrigerator door.

Abstract: An upright wet extractor includes a base assembly, a manipulative handle pivotally attached to the base assembly, and a motor driven agitator brush. A cleaning solution dispensing tank is removably attached to the handle assembly by a pivotable latch member. In a floor cleaning mode, cleaning solution is selectively supplied by gravity from the dispensing tank to a spray nozzle through a supply tube controlled by a pinch valve. In an attachment hose cleaning mode, cleaning solution is selectively supplied by a motor driven pump from the dispensing tank to an attachment hose spray nozzle controlled by a trigger valve. A suction motor/fan assembly is carried by the base assembly which is selectively in fluid communication with a floor nozzle in the floor mode and hose nozzle in the attachment mode. Conversion between floor mode and attachment mode is carried out by manual operation of a knob of a multi-functional valve/switch assembly.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit for storing items to be refrigerated. The refrigeration unit includes an insulated enclosure defining a compartment, and has a top wall, a rear wall, and opposing side walls. An evaporator is disposed within the compartment and is secured to the rear wall. An evaporator cover has a top portion and a rear portion. The rear portion covers the evaporator and has a sloping rear face that slopes rearwardly and downwardly toward a drain trough. The sloping rear face directs condensate from the evaporator into the drain trough. A drain plate covers the drain trough and the sloping rear face. An angled grate is secured to the drain plate and covers an inlet to an air flow channel formed by the rear wall, and the evaporator cover and the drain plate. A fan is secured over an angled opening formed in the top portion of the evaporator cover and is operable to draw air through the air flow channel.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner having a separable handle for compact shipping is disclosed. The separable handle includes a lower handle portion pivotally attached to a floor engaging unit and is joined to an upper handle portion at a parting plane. A dust bag cover is mounted to the lower handle portion by a mounting device. The mounting device comprises a baseplate comprises a mounting plate mounted on an exhaust duct of the cleaner extending from the lower handle portion and a dust bag cover support frame attached to the baseplate. All portions of the frame are located below the frame for shipping purposes. According to one aspect of the invention the support frame extends at right angles to the base plate and, according to another aspect of the invention, the frame is extendable above the parting plane to a use position.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner is provided which includes a sound muffler which, according to one aspect of the invention, may be combined with an accessory selector valve. The vacuum cleaner includes a height adjustment mechanism which eliminates positioning detents along the cam adjustment surface. The vacuum cleaner also includes a vacuum bag mounting arrangement which insures that the bag will not project above a handle parting plane, thus reducing the size of the shipping carton.

Abstract: A multipass evaporator for an air conditioner includes a pair of spaced-apart and parallel headers, a plurality of microchannels extending between and connected to the headers, at least one throttling microchannel extending between and connected to the headers, and at least two baffles provided within the headers. The baffles are located in the headers to divide the plurality of microchannels and the throttling microchannel into at least three passes. The three passes include a first pass, a last pass, and at least one intermediate pass between the first pass and the last pass. The first pass includes the throttling microchannel which provides a desired restriction to obtain constant enthalpy expansion so that no restriction device is required between a condenser and the evaporator.